The Optus Football Podcast

Mark Schwarzer and Phil Kitromilides hang about in Dortmund after Turkiye v Georgia to wrap up day five of UEFA EURO 2024™ which included a surprise contender for match of the tournament so far. The fellas discuss: Ronaldo's start for Portugal. The GOAT debate - Messi is still King? Turkiye v Georgia an unexpected thriller. Ugly scenes at Turkiye v Georgia as fans go wild. There will be an episode...

The trio of Mark Schwarzer, Phil Kitromilides and Julien Laurens hang about in Dusseldorf Arena after Austria v France to wrap up day four of UEFA EURO 2024™ and a big boilover earlier in the day. The fellas discuss: Belgium's shocking loss to lowly Slovakia Is Romelu Lukaku on his way to another underwhelming tournament? Why France don't play 'sexy football' - from the Frenchman himself! Mark Sch...

We are live from a little bar in Germany to wrap up day three of UEFA EURO 2024™ as Mark Schwarzer and Phil Kitromilides wrap up Poland v Netherlands, Slovenia v Denmark and the big one between Serbia and England. The lads discuss: England's less-than-impressive victory over the Serbs Harry Kane's alarmingly-low stats Why Mark Schwarzer is a little concerned about Jordan Pickford between the posts...

We are live from Berlin to wrap up a massive Day two of UEFA EURO 2024™ as Mark Schwarzer and Phil Kitromilides dissect the three big group games of Hungary v Switzerland, Spain v Croatia & Italy v Albania. The lads discuss: Albania's insane fastest-ever Euro goal Spain's Yamal becoming the youngest-ever player at a Euro tournament Granit Xhaka's MOTM performance There will be an episode of th...

We are live from Munich to wrap up a massive opening day of UEFA EURO 2024™, as Mark Schwarzer basks in his German heritage after Die Mannschaft's massive win over Scotland to open the tournament. The lads discuss: Ryan Porteous' costly send off for Scotland Germany's total outclassing of the Scots The atmosphere around the ground tonight There will be an episode of the Optus Sport Football Podcas...

Schwarzie and Phil are joined by Jay Bothroyd for part two of Optus Sport's UEFA Euro 2024 preview as they assess groups D, E & F and give their tournament predictions. The guys discuss: Is it a 'disaster' if France don't make the final? Cody Gakpo: Overrated? How reliant are Poland on Robert Lewandowski? Are Belgium's golden generation still golden? The rise and rise of Ukraine's Andriy Lunin...

Schwarzie and Phil are joined by Jay Bothroyd for part one of Optus Sport's UEFA Euro 2024 preview as they look forward to a month in Germany and run the rule over groups A, B and C. They discuss: How Germany's Florian Wirtz reminds Schwarzie of Phil Foden Toni Kroos' last dance Why Switzerland's Breel Embolo is 'like a tank' Spain's goalscoring problem Italy boss Luciano Spalletti banning PlaySta...

Schwarzie and Phil are here to wrap up the LA LIGA season in 15 minutes as Barcelona (eventually) give Xavi the boot and Toni Kroos says his farewell to the Bernabeu. They also discuss Artem Dovbyk landing the golden boot and Phil enjoying Rayo Vallecano's centenary celebrations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Schwarzie at the Etihad and Phil at the Emirates, the pair caught up afterwards to discuss their contrasting days alongside former Premier League player and Arsenal fan Jay Bothroyd.  The guys also give out their awards for the season, whilst Schwarzie reflects on watching Chelsea end the WSL season as champions for the fifth time in a row. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more...

Mark Schwarzer is back from a Women's FA Cup Final at Wembley to chat about the weekend's action with Phil and Bridgey, as the season heads towards its conclusion: Is Saliba the best centre-back in the league? Casemiro's complete drop-off in form Gvardiol's rise to prominence in recent weeks Schwarzie being refused a clean sheet bonus at Chelsea Bridgey reveals what he's been texting Ange Why have...

In this very special, candid discussion, Optus Sport's Mark Schwarzer catches up with Tottenham manager and countryman Ange Postecoglou for an open and honest discussion about Spurs' late-season form slump, the effect it has on players and Ange as a manager - and how to get out of it. Far from deflecting the obvious questions, Ange claims he is "hyper-alert" about the situation and the impact on t...

Mark Schwarzer is joined by Phil Kitromilides (fresh from the air conditioned, catered comfort of a Bernabeu box) along with Julien Laurens (much more humble) as the pointy end of the season hurtles towards us! The lads discuss: How Phil spent Saturday in the lap of luxury before effectively becoming a poor person on Sunday That day at Anfield for Spurs, as the Londoners stare down an embarrassing...

It's the morning after the night before, so is Phil over Spurs' defeat to Arsenal yet? Schwarzie is joined by former Socceroo Tommy Oar to find out. The guys also discuss Mo Salah's argument with Jurgen Klopp, Bournemouth's miraculous season under Andoni Iraola and why Barcelona have opted to keep Xavi at the helm. We also hear from Narelle and Ash as Mary Fowler inspires Manchester City in their...

We are back for another ripper episode of the Optus Sport Football Podcast, and this week Mark Schwarzer and Phil Kitromilides have Michael Bridges along for the ride! The lads discuss: Why Bridgey filled a teammate's car with fish guts that he rang in as a favour! The 'classless' tweet from Nottingham Forest and why one of our panel think on that basis alone, he hopes they go down! Mark on why he...

Well, as if firing up Antoine Griezmann wasn't enough last time he opened the mic on the Optus Sport Football Podcast, Jay Bothroyd is back to join Mark Schwarzer and (rile up!) Phil Kitromilides, as the guys tackle plenty and of course, ruffle a few feathers along the way: After two unexpected results for Liverpool and Arsenal, has City (AGAIN!) had the tide turn its way with just over a month to...

The Premier League title race has taken another twist; so Mark, Phil and Thomas Sorensen are here to assess it all. We also take a chance to look at the other end of the table, with seven teams in a battle against relegation.  The guys also decide to isolate every Australian Wolves fan by all claiming their goal SHOULD have been disallowed at the weekend!  See every match of the Premier...

WE didn't say that about Erling Haaland... promise! But you bet we debated it, and there was plenty more hearty discussion this week as Mark Schwarzer was joined by journalist Phil Kitromilides and former Leeds United striker Michael Bridges who dropped his moving boxes to put a rule across the weekend of football, including: An alleged 'title-deciding' match that didn't reach the heights we hoped...

Well, well, well. After the social media firestorm that broke out after last week's episode, Jay Bothroyd left Mark Schwarzer to pick up the pieces on this week's show. With him were Phil Kitromilides and Julien Laurens as they held Mark to account for his comments that had the France and Atletico Madrid star hurling pizza emojis his way! As well, the trio discuss: France's poor showing against Br...

The gang is all together in London this week and as such, are pumped to chew the fat over everything in the football world...to the point that Phil almost missed his flight home! Mark Schwarzer, Michael Bridges, Phil Kitromilides, Julien Laurens and Jay Bothroyd discuss it all, including: A LIVELY debate about the talents and input of Antoine Griezmann! Nottingham Forest's financial sanctions... i...

While Mark Schwarzer is granted a hall pass for the week, Phil Kitromilides takes the driver’s wheel and is joined by Michael Bridges and Julien Laurens as they rip apart the title chases in the Premier League and LALIGA: Liverpool v Manchester City: is it one of the great 1-1 draws? We were exhausted! Disagreement over whose title it is going be! (from Bridgey - with himself - that is... we...

In this very special one-on-one between Tottenham Hotspur star Micky van de Ven and former Premier League goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, the Spurs lightning bolt details: Why Ange Postecoglou is the one he has learned the most from in his short career The difference he has found between the German and English leagues How he became the fastest player in Premier League history See every match of the Pre...

Schwarzie and Phil are joined this week by Thomas Sorensen after the Manchester derby went exactly how everyone expected it to, and react to Paul Scholes claiming Erik Ten Hag is set to be replaced in the summer.  Meanwhile the guys delve into the refereeing controversies of the weekend: should Liverpool have been given the chance to score their late winner? Should Real Madrid have been stopp...

Mark and Phil are joined this week by Julien Laurens, who is in Schwarzie's bad books for celebrating the Socceroos' Asian Cup loss... Manchester United are struggling...again. The Premier League title race is wide open...again. And could Mbappe to Real Madrid not happen...again!? Is it also time for the old guard to step aside? Foden is impressing in the absence of Kevin de Bruyne, Forson gets th...

Schwarzie is joined by Jay Bothroyd who spent six seasons playing in Japan to look ahead to the new season of the J-League which is live and exclusive on Optus Sport. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Schwarzie and Phil are joined for the first time on the pod by former England, Wolves and Cardiff City striker Jay Bothroyd. After spending a while revelling in how Jay has an England cap and Bridgey doesn't, the guys chat about Roy Hodgson stepping down as Crystal Palace manager and assess the Premier League title race. Jay also tells us why we should be watching the J-League this season - a plac...